Chapter 77 Growing Up Overnight

Mother is truly the most beautiful “noun” in this world.

For this title, they willingly give up so many things.

Freedom, beauty, sorrows and joys, and even more.

Because of their sacrifices, more beautiful things come into being.

A child’s smiling face, a husband’s peace of mind, a harmonious family.

The only thing they might not consider is their own gains and losses.

But Shen Yi’an was certain she would never become such a mother.

She could become a mother, not because of someone or something, but simply because she wanted to be one.

If it meant changing into a stranger for the sake of a child, she knew she couldn’t go that far.

Even if there was already a little life growing inside her, she would still want to be herself.

Being herself meant she hadn’t lived in vain, nor had she betrayed the life her own mother had given her.

So, she needed to establish her own career as soon as possible.

Once she had a career, she would naturally accumulate substantial wealth, and all the problems she encountered would be easily resolved.

Money might not be everything, but without it, nothing could be accomplished.

If she had enough money, she could hire bodyguards, or even start a security company.

With the means to protect herself, she wouldn’t face the same plight as the family of three before her.

Potential dangers would be prevented or resolved before they even occurred.

So, as soon as the matter with the child was settled, she would start building her career.

By then, all the problems or challenges she faced would cease to exist.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shen Yi’an walked over and interrupted the melancholy of the mother and her two children. “Comrade Chen, you really must stop crying!”

“If you keep crying, Comrade Song will think I’ve bullied you when he returns.”

Hearing this, Chen Rongying hurriedly wiped her tears and stood up, her voice noticeably hoarser than before.

“I’m sorry for making a fool of myself in front of you, Comrade Shen.”

“It’s been a while since I last saw him, and I never expected A Yao to mature so quickly.”

“He was always sensible at home, but he was still quite mischievous.”

“I never thought this reunion would be like this… I haven’t been a responsible mother.”

Though her tone faltered for a moment, Shen Yi’an could understand what she meant.

The child who had once been lively and energetic in front of her had changed completely after being trafficked.

He was still the same person, but the mischievous spark in his personality had vanished, as if he had grown up overnight.

Seeing a child mature under such circumstances only brought heartache and self-blame to a mother.

Though she understood these emotions, she couldn’t let them fester.

Sadness would only plunge a mother deeper into self-consuming guilt.

So she stepped forward with a smile to comfort her. “Comrade Chen, for you, finding your child is the greatest blessing.”

“No amount of self-blame is more important than having your child by your side.”

“Don’t you think so?”

After a brief silence, Chen Rongying suddenly laughed.

“Comrade Shen, you truly have a clear perspective.”

“You’re right. For me, having A Yao and Xiao Shu by my side is the greatest blessing.”

“From now on, I just need to focus on taking better care of them.”

Seeing that she had regained her composure, Shen Yi’an gestured around her own eyes and said, “Now that you’ve figured it out, go wash your face.”

“Otherwise your eyes will be swollen later.”

Faced with this kindness, Chen Rongying smiled sheepishly.

“Alright, I’ll go wash up then. Comrade Shen, could you please watch the two children for me?”

“I’ll be back soon!”

After she left the ward, Shen Yi’an noticed Song Yao’s dirty little face and quickly patted his shoulder. “You should go wash up too.”

“You and your mother are, well, equally matched!”

Understanding the implication in her words, Song Yao felt both embarrassed and annoyed.

He wanted to go wash his face with his mother, but was afraid his little sister would be scared if left alone.

If he didn’t go, he’d remain with a dirty face like Auntie said.

Noticing his dilemma, Shen Yi’an pointed toward the door. “You go ahead. I’ll watch your sister for you.”

Hearing this, Song Yao thanked her and ran out of the ward.

Having lost her closest family members, even the usually dazed Song Shu seemed to sense something was wrong.

She slowly turned her little body to look around. After searching for a long time without finding any familiar faces, fear quickly flashed in her previously emotionless eyes, followed by her small body beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

Not only that, her breathing became rapid, and her limbs tensed as if ready to run away at any moment.

Seeing this, Shen Yi’an slapped her forehead in annoyance.

It was her fault!

How could she forget the little girl might be suffering from PTSD and needed her family’s constant companionship?

If something went wrong just when the family had finally reunited, she would be the biggest sinner.

With this thought, she immediately turned around and took half a cup of pre-diluted Spirit Spring Water from her Space. Turning back, she crouched beside the little girl. “Your name is Xiao Shu, right? I’m your brother’s good friend!”

“Look, this is what your brother left for you to drink when you’re thirsty. Would you like to taste it?”

Hearing “brother,” Song Shu, who had been about to have an episode, suddenly stopped her fleeing motion and slowly turned to look at Shen Yi’an.

After a moment, her gaze fell on the cup in Shen Yi’an’s hand.

After some unknown consideration, she cautiously reached out to take the cup.

Perhaps from not holding heavy objects for a long time, the cup wobbled in her hands for quite a while.

Some water spilled out, but she eventually managed to drink the remaining water.

After drinking, she unconsciously smacked her little lips, seeming unsatisfied.

Seeing the little girl’s expression gradually soften, Shen Yi’an spoke to her gently, “Was the water your brother left tasty?”

After a brief silence, a small milky voice answered shortly, “Good!”

Though just one word, it meant the little girl was still capable of thinking.

As long as she could still think, there was hope.

Having achieved their first conversation, Shen Yi’an pressed on, “Then can Xiao Shu wait on the bed for her brother to return?”

“He went to wash his face and will be back soon!”

This time the little girl didn’t respond verbally, but silently moved toward the bed.

Finding she couldn’t reach it, she turned to stare at Shen Yi’an for a while, then extended her small hand to wiggle Shen Yi’an’s finger before pointing at the bed.

Shen Yi’an understood her meaning. “Does Xiao Shu want me to lift you onto the bed?”

After pausing for a few seconds, the little girl slowly nodded.

Her well-behaved appearance made Shen Yi’an’s maternal instincts surge instantly.

She forgot the little girl was in an unusual state and leaned in to give a loud “smack” on her cheek.

Feeling the touch on her face, the little girl reacted much more quickly this time, widening her eyes to stare fixedly at Shen Yi’an.

Though she didn’t speak, the meaning in her gaze was crystal clear:

Why did you kiss me?

At first, Shen Yi’an didn’t grasp the meaning in her eyes, thinking the little girl was just angry about being kissed.

After apologizing, she noticed the child was still staring intently at her and belatedly understood the unspoken question.

She immediately leaned forward to pat her little head, “Xiao Shu is just too well-behaved! Auntie likes you so much!”

“I’d love to have a little princess as sweet and obedient as you.”

“Just don’t know if I’ll be blessed with such fortune.”

Understanding the meaning, the little girl still didn’t speak, but her frequent nodding motions served as her reply.

Shen Yi’an found her utterly adorable.

But this time she didn’t kiss her, instead directly carrying her to the bed.

Song Zhaoxu, who had been standing at the doorway unnoticed, felt both joy and sorrow seeing his daughter swaying Shen Yi’an’s finger.

Joy that his daughter would initiate affectionate gestures, sorrow that the person holding her hand wasn’t him.

Tsk, humans are such complicated creatures!

“A-Xu, why are you standing at the door? Why not go in?”

The mother and son returning from washing up saw Song Chaoxu standing dejectedly at the hospital room entrance.

So dejected that the food in his hand was nearly touching the ground.

Hearing the voice behind him, Song Chaoxu perked up, but his reply carried an unmistakably sour tone.

“Nothing, just saw my daughter holding Comrade Shen’s hand.”

“Even her own father doesn’t get that treatment!”

“Feeling envious!”

Hearing this, Chen Rongying burst out laughing while already entering the room.

“Probably because Comrade Shen is more likable!”

“You know your daughter’s a looks-obsessed child who only likes beautiful people and things.”

Only after finishing speaking did she process the meaning in Song Chaoxu’s words.

Without waiting for the father and son behind her, she quickly approached the sickbed.

“Comrade Shen, did Xiao Shu really hold your hand just now?”

“Did she say anything?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an first smiled and nodded at Chen Rongying, then immediately turned her gaze to the father and son behind her.

Had they seen her retrieving the Spirit Spring Water from the Space earlier?